SD.Kfz. 184 Fernando (1:35)

1/35 Sd.Kfz. 184 'Ferdinand' (Zvezda) Photo-Etched Detailing Kit (Microdesign MD035274)

What Is It?

Elevate the look and realism of your Sd.Kfz. 184 “Ferdinand” tank destroyer model with this premium Photo-Etched Detailing Set, precisely engineered for the Zvezda 1/35 scale kit. Also referred to as the “Elefant” in later iterations, the Ferdinand debuted in mid-1943, featuring an exceptionally powerful 88 mm PaK43/2 gun and thick frontal armor. Despite some mechanical teething issues, it became infamous on the Eastern Front, particularly at the Battle of Kursk, where its potent firepower surprised Soviet tank crews. Over time, improved versions corrected flaws, but the original Ferdinand stands out as one of Germany’s most formidable attempts at a specialized tank destroyer. Transform your model from a simple assembly into a near-authentic showpiece, highlighting the destructive might and engineering detail that made the Sd.Kfz. 184 a legend of WWII armored warfare. Crafted from 0.15 mm brass, this set includes two photo-etch boards plus a color instruction manual, offering 104 unique parts. By integrating air vents, mudguards, side screens, equipment holders, straps, hinges, handles, antenna mounts, and more, you can replicate with accuracy the intricate exterior elements of the real “Ferdinand”—bringing your model to life for fellow hobbyists to admire its striking silhouette and mechanical essence. This kit ensures authenticity and precision. The components are lightweight yet sturdy, allowing for easy handling during assembly. By using this kit, you can transform your SD.Kfz. 184 'Ferdinand' model into a MASTERPIECE with museum-quality detail. The brass material provides durability while maintaining a fine, realistic appearance, making it an essential addition for any model enthusiast.

Who Is It Intended For?

This photo-etch detailing set is ideal for:

• Beginner to intermediate modelers who want a significant yet manageable leap beyond basic plastic parts
• Diorama builders depicting Eastern Front armored clashes during the critical stages of WWII
• Collectors aiming for a show-stopping finish celebrating advanced tank destroyer design
• Armor enthusiasts underscoring the Ferdinand’s heavy-hitting firepower and formidable armor

Benefits

1. Exterior & Infrastructure Upgrades: Includes air vents, mudguards, side screens, equipment holders, straps, hinges, handles, and more, delivering near-realistic authenticity
2. Robust Brass Material: 0.15 mm brass ensuring a crisp metal finish that integrates perfectly with paint and weathering
3. 104 Unique Parts: Two photo-etch boards refining the Ferdinand’s major and minor structural accents
4. Medium Difficulty: A rewarding challenge for modelers elevating their German armor builds to professional-level detailing

Product Details

Kit Composition

• Two photo-etch brass boards featuring air vents, mudguards, side screens, equipment holders, straps, hinges, handles, antenna mounts, etc.
• Color instruction manual providing clear assembly guidance

Applications

Perfect for enhancing:

• Eastern Front dioramas depicting the Ferdinand’s role at Kursk
• Collector’s tank destroyer builds seeking a show-stopping finish
• Exhibition-quality models highlighting the Ferdinand’s thick armor and advanced 88 mm gun

Historical Background

The Sd.Kfz. 184 “Ferdinand”, introduced in 1943, was a German heavy tank destroyer derived from the Porsche Tiger chassis. Named after its designer, Ferdinand Porsche, it boasted a formidable 88 mm PaK43/2 gun, enabling it to penetrate most Allied armor at long ranges. Though initially deployed during Operation Citadel at the Battle of Kursk, the Ferdinand suffered from mechanical breakdowns, limited close-defense weaponry, and high maintenance demands—challenges that overshadowed its superior firepower. Subsequent modifications led to the “Elefant” variant, adding a hull machine gun and improving reliability. Still, the original Ferdinand endures in WWII lore as one of Germany’s most powerful, if temperamental, tank hunters. By incorporating this photo-etched detailing set, you honor the innovative yet problematic design that dominated long-range engagements, capturing the Ferdinand’s detailed external fittings—from its massive casemate silhouette to the crucially positioned vent systems—reflecting a watershed moment in German tank destroyer evolution.

How to Use

Follow these steps for a showstopping Ferdinand build:

1. Smoothly remove or sand away molded plastic pieces that will be replaced by photo-etch parts (vents, mudguards, etc.).
2. Carefully detach the brass elements from the two photo-etch boards using fine nippers or a scalpel.
3. Bend each piece as shown in the color instruction manual, ensuring the correct orientation and shape for vents, screens, or holders.
4. Secure them using cyanoacrylate (CA) glue or another suitable adhesive, verifying correct alignment for each detail.
5. Prime & paint with historically accurate Eastern Front camouflage or other recognized WWII German schemes, letting the new metal detailing integrate seamlessly.

Why Choose Imodeller's MD035274? ?

• Comprehensive Exterior Enhancement: Focuses on the Ferdinand’s unique hull structure—vents, screens, equipment holders, and more
• Premium Brass Quality: 0.15 mm thickness ensuring crisp, durable additions that handle paint and weathering with ease
• 104 Precisely Etched Pieces: Two photo-etch boards + color instructions refining every essential exterior nuance of the iconic tank hunter
• Medium Difficulty: A worthwhile challenge for modelers seeking to highlight German WWII armor at its most formidable

Upgrade Your “Ferdinand” Model & Conquer the Battlefield with Unmatched Detailing!

Elevate your tank destroyer diorama or display by leveraging these finely etched brass parts. Order now and capture the engineering might of the Sd.Kfz. 184 “Ferdinand” in all its imposing glory!

Shipping Information

Item Location: USA

Fast Shipping: Item will be shipped immediately after payment.